Sky links up with BT

There are now 5,000 more people employed by pubs in the UK than there were at the turn of the Millennium.

As part of an expanded partnership deal Sky is to become BT’s exclusive distribution partner in Ireland so that commercial customers here will have their pick of the best sports content on Sky Sports and BT Sport, all through Sky, the company announced recently.

The partnership comes into effect next Summer in time for the 2019/20 Premier League football season and will be the first time Sky provides BT Sport directly to its commercial customers as part of a Sky package. Details on pricing and packaging will be announced in 2019.

The deal makes it easier for Sky Business customers to plan, promote and show live sport, accessing it from one simple platform, states the company.

It also means customers with Sky Sports and BT Sport will have the choice of 180 Premier League games, UEFA Champions League and Europa League football as well as Heineken Champions Cup rugby.

Other sports from the partnership with BT Sport include Premiership Rugby, Moto GP, WTA tennis and world class boxing.

Sky Sports in Ireland is also home to the UEFA Nations League, US Open and Ryder Cup golf, exclusive GAA All Ireland Championship fixtures and more.

Meanwhile Noel Gorman, licensee of Corrigan’s Kitchen in Castleblayney, County Monaghan, was ordered to pay damages of €22,729 plus costs of €6,100 for infringing Sky’s copyright by showing Sky Sports programming illegally in the premises.

Sky also sought and was awarded a permanent injunction which prevents the licensee and anyone else acting on their behalf from showing Sky programming without the correct commercial license.

Sky Sports is only available to licensed premises in Ireland via a commercial viewing agreement from Sky Business or Virgin Media. Licensees that show Sky broadcasts without a commercial viewing agreement risk similar action or even a criminal prosecution.

“These rulings demonstrate the seriousness of the issue of showing Sky without a commercial agreement and highlight the consequences of televising Sky’s content illegally,” said George Lawson, Head of Commercial Piracy at Sky, “Illegal broadcasting is a serious issue that’s damaging to the pub industry, which is why we’re committed to protecting Sky customers who’re unfairly losing business due to this illegal activity. These cases are just the latest in our efforts to ensure they’re not left short-changed.”

Sky has demonstrated its commitment to visiting every licensed premises reported by other publicans and/or organisations for illegally showing Sky and makes arrangements to visit hundreds of pubs each week in towns and cities across Ireland.

Sky Sports & NBA announce 4-Year deal

Sky Sports has also announced a four-year deal with the National Basketball Association that will see Sky Sports become the NBA’s exclusive broadcast partner and official website operator in the UK and Ireland.

The deal, the most extensive UK and RoI partnership ever, will see Sky Sports broadcast games and programming throughout the season. Coverage will include more than 170 live games and a record number of live weekend games starting from 8.30pm.

The partnership will also see live games and highlights of the Women’s National Basketball Association starting with the 2019 season that tips-off in May.

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